A Utah woman charged with homicide for refusing to have a Caesarean section that doctors said would have saved the life of her stillborn child pleaded guilty in Salt Lake City yesterday to two child endangerment charges after prosecutors dropped the murder charge.

Melissa Ann Rowland, 28, had been charged with criminal homicide because police said she repeatedly refused to have surgery that would save the twins she carried because she feared being scarred.

Judge Dennis Fuchs asked Rowland if she understood the plea agreement. "Yes your honour," she replied. Rowland, who has had mental health problems, was delivered of twins on January 13. A boy was stillborn while a girl, survived but suffered extreme respiratory distress.

The child endangerment charges are for using cocaine while pregnant. Each of the charges carries a prison term of up to five years. Rowland will be sentenced on April 29.